Windows 7 - Error Code: 80072EE2 (Windows Update encountered an unknown error)

Question

As the title suggests, update error code constantly comes up when i try to check for updates (Windows action center). I currently use Windows 7 on a 64 bit Amd system and have never encountered this type of error before. There is very limited help on this subject, nor is there any solutions that may work. I suspect this may also be malware related, but as i am not 100% sure, i would like some expert advice before i go hunting for something that isn't there and end up chasing my own tail.

Answer 1

Error 0x80072EE2 is:   ERROR_INTERNET_TIMEOUTTranslation:  The request has timed out.

You may encounter temporary connection-related errors when you use Windows Update or Microsoft Update to install updates

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941

https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/default.aspx

Malware Protection Center

Threat Research and Response

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TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2011 - Update Services

Answer 2

• Which version of the Windows operating system am I running?

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/which-version-of-the-windows-operating-system-am-i-running

   • Is my PC running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows?

      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/find-out-32-or-64-bit

Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit SP2; Vista SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2; Win7; Win7 64-bit) when posting in a forum or newsgroup. Please do so in your next reply.

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

You may encounter temporary connection-related errors [e.g., 0x80072EE2] when you use Windows Update or Microsoft Update to install updates  

[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836941)

How do I reset Windows Update components?  

[Ignore the APPLIES TO section if Win7; Access KB971058 via Internet Explorer (32-bit) only; Run the Fix It in DEFAULT and AGGRESSIVE modes, then reboot]  

[http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058)

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft